I'm not a big fan of the Denver PD. It ain't just their record for brutality, or that they lead the nation in excessive force complaints, or even that they're always vying for first place in the nation for fatal shootings. It's that they lie, over and over again. And their latest lie is pretty incredible, even for them.

It started on Friday May 6th, when a number of local anarchists and hell raisers — in the best possible sense of the term — took to the streets in protest of the police murder of Marvin Booker. According to the Denver Post, one young lady by the name of Amelia Nicol allegedly took it upon herself to hurl "a Molotov cocktail" at a couple of cops in a patrol car. (Also described by Denver's CBS 4 as a "homemade explosive device," and 9NEWS as an "incendiary device.")

Sounds pretty scary, right? And as you can imagine, Ms. Nicol is facing some pretty serious charges. From Denver Anarchist Black Cross, they are:

- Two counts of attemped murder (Felony 2)

- Use of explosives (Felony 2)

- Possession of explosives (Felony 4)

- Second-degree arson (Felony 4)

- Criminal mischief (Felony 4)

- Inciting a riot (Felony 5)

- Two counts of attemped third-degree assault (Misdeamenor 2)

- Resisting arrest (Misdeamenor 2)

All in all, she looks to be facing 90 years in prison. Which, I suppose, might be arguable if she'd thrown a Molotov cocktail at the cops.

But she didn't.

I wasn't there, but I've talked to a number of people who saw the incident in question, and they're all telling me the same thing: what was thrown was a firecracker.

If you'd like a visual representation, West Denver Copwatch has been kind enough to provide one.

And, lest we forget, the "victims" of this attack were, as reported in every single source I can find, in their patrol car.

Now, I know that cops around here are not exactly world renowned for their courage, but I submit that throwing a firecracker at two cops inside a cop car doesn't exactly rise to attempted murder.

But it doesn't have to. What it does do is send a message to those who are getting a little sick of watching Denver's citizenry get brutalized with impunity: No matter what we do to you, don't even thinking about protesting. Because if you do, we will trump up a reason to put you away for a very, very long time.

Anyway, if you'd like to help Ms. Nicol, there are three ways to best do so according to Denver Anarchist Black Cross:

1) Write to Amelia! Send her letters, cards, photos, jokes, stories, etc…

Letters may be addressed to:

Amelia Nicole CD# 0000762401

Denver County Jail

PO Box 1108

Denver, CO 80201

Please see mail regulations here, and note that Denver ABC has already sent a package of envelopes, paper, and stamps.

2) Write a letter to Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey and demand that the charges against Amelia be dropped immediately!

Denver DA Mitch Morrissey

201 W. Colfax #801

Denver, CO 80202

Or call him at: 720-913-9000

3) Donate to Amelia's phone fund.

Send checks or money orders made out to P&L Printing to:

Denver ABC

2727 W. 27th Ave Unit D

Denver, CO 80211

And you should do so. Because this is the kind of shit that DPD can't be allowed to slide by us. And because you don't throw a twenty-year-old girl in prison for 90 fucking years for throwing a firecracker.